River of Bones by Dan Padavona (books you need to read TXT) 📕

only Paige and Justine. So I assumed they were the girls torturing our Dawn.”

“And yet Skye vanished. How would you describe your cousin? Was he ever violent while he lived with you?”

“Never. Alec wouldn’t hurt Skye.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because my cousin isn’t a killer. He had a tough upbringing, and the boy went through hell with his parents and sister. But he’s not crazy.”

“How did Alec feel about Paige and Justine? He ever talk about revenge for what the girls did to Dawn?”

Webb puffed out her chest and lifted her chin.

“Alec didn’t hurt anyone, Sheriff. But I wouldn’t blame him for hating those girls. I have no regrets for calling them out on a public forum. Everyone needs to hear what they did to Dawn. Now, if you don’t mind, I have work to do. The next time you set foot on my property, bring a warrant.”

Before Thomas or Aguilar replied, the woman turned and stomped inside the house, slamming the door in their faces.

Aguilar glanced at Thomas.

“She’s hiding something. What do you make of her story about Alec moving to Alaska and working offshore on an oil rig.”

“It makes sense. Alaska is a great place to hide, if you’re on the run. The questions I have are, what did Alec do that made him run, and did he return to Wolf Lake?”

“As much as I detest the woman, I admit I’m worried about Paige Sutton.”

“She’ll have State Trooper surveillance until we find enough bodies to monitor her house. But I agree. Paige Sutton is the only friend who hasn’t disappeared yet.”

The curtain swung shut when Thomas glanced over his shoulder. Someone was watching them from the window.

CHAPTER THIRTY

Saturday, August 14th

2:25 p.m.

 

“I got the fool. Get up here.”

Anthony ended the call and pushed the gun barrel against the back of LeVar’s head.

“Have a seat,” Anthony said, gesturing at the chair beside the kitchen table. “And keep your hands where I can see them.”

LeVar glared over his shoulder at Anthony.

“You sound like a cop. Why are you doing this?”

“It’s like Rev says. Nobody leaves the Kings.”

“I helped you, Anthony. I saved your ass from Rev after you mailed that package to the press.”

During April’s murders, serial killer Jeremy Hyde approached Anthony and paid him to mail a cardboard box to the newspaper. The box contained the severed head of Hyde’s victim.

“Things changed after you abandoned us to live beside the lake. I moved up the ladder.” Anthony chuckled. “Who knows? I might have your old position before long.”

Right. Soaking wet, Anthony was half LeVar’s weight. And by the way he handled the weapon, he wasn’t good with guns. No way Rev would promote an idiot like Anthony to be his enforcer. But Anthony held all the cards now. One wrong move by LeVar, and Anthony would end his life.

Or would he?

Gunfire attracted attention in a crowded apartment building. Even if Anthony escaped unseen, he’d forever be on the run after the police investigated the murder scene. He’d never see his mother again. Despite the kid’s brash demeanor, he loved his mother and wouldn’t put her at risk by murdering a former gang member inside her kitchen.

He had to think fast. Kilo and Lawson were on the way, and Rev was probably with them. They’d lead LeVar down the stairs and take him out through the basement to avoid attention. Then they’d drive him to a remote location outside Harmon and put a bullet in his head.

LeVar stared at Anthony, focusing on the kid’s trembling hand.

“Rev won’t promote you, fool. Don’t you get it? He’s using you to get to me. As soon as this is over, he’ll get rid of you. You seen too much.”

“Shut up.”

“I ain’t bullshitting you. You know how crazy Rev is. He’s taken out smaller threats than you over the years.”

“Rev wouldn’t do me like that. After we put you down, we might take a ride over to that pretty lake house of yours. Blow holes through that pig sheriff and the pathetic crippled girl next door.”

LeVar’s muscles twitched. How dare the Kings threaten his friends? He wanted to punch the smile off Anthony’s face.

“Rev would’ve buried you four months ago over the Jeremy Hyde nonsense, if I hadn’t talked him out of it.”

“Don’t try to change my mind, LeVar. No more talking.”

Anthony pushed LeVar’s head forward with the gun. The kid’s arm trembled as if the floor shook beneath him. LeVar worried Anthony might fire the gun by accident and spray his brain all over the kitchen. A steel door squealed open and closed down the hallway. They were coming.

As the kid held him at gunpoint, LeVar glanced at the window. If he cocked his head, he could look into the parking lot behind the complex.

“What the hell? Why would Rev bring a Royals member with him?”

The moment Anthony took the bait and looked out the window, LeVar wheeled around and slammed his palm against the kid’s wrist. He deflected the barrel a second before the gun fired. The bullet blew a hole through the window and shattered the glass. As the shards rained onto the kitchen floor, LeVar rammed his forehead against Anthony’s nose. A sound like eggshells cracking. Blood streamed from Anthony’s nose as his eyes rolled back in his head.

LeVar caught the boy before he smashed headfirst against the linoleum. He eased Anthony to the floor. Someone pounded on the door as LeVar swung his head around. Kilo and Lawson must have heard the shot.

As the gang members yelled from the hallway, LeVar climbed out the window. Not good. Too far to jump unless he wanted two broken legs. The door burst open inside the apartment. A second window stood five yards away. The neighbor’s apartment. Muttering a prayer, LeVar leaped for the ledge and grabbed hold of the bricks before he lost footing. He wobbled backward, one arm pinwheeling as the other hung on for dear life. When he got his balance, he placed his foot against the